I regret very much that we have to annoy you again with the good roads and convict proposition. Since your visit here it has developed that the time given for the completion of the Hickory Nut Gap Road is not sufficient and that, in order to finish the job in a creditable manner, it will be necessary to have the services of the force of convicts until April first.

I am informed by Dr. Fletcher that the funds necessary to continue the work until April first can be raised. It would be unfortunate if, after all the expenditure made on the road, it should be left in an unfinished condition.

A suggestion made today, which I think a good one, is that you send a State Highway Engineer to inspect not only this road but the Ridgecrest and Madison County roads so that you can act advisable in the matter. It is a matter of very great importance to Western North Carolina that the Central Highway passing through Swannanoa Gap and Madison County should have the two missing links above named completed if possible by the convicts this summer and fall.

Would it not be possible to transfer the entire Hickory Nut Gap squad to Madison Co. and increase the Swannanoa Gap force with an addition of about thirty-five white men? If this could be done it is thought that the Highway can at least be opened for travel. We feel sure that you will do everything possible, consistent with your public duties, to give us this road.

With best wishes,